Contest to showcase residents' baking talents

Gingerbread cookie contest entering its third year at Narnia

Barbara Hughes, owner of Narnia Studios, places out the winners of the First Ever Gingerbread Cookie Contest in December 2007. The winners were Joey Radesi, 9, in the bakers younger than 13 category, Hunter Rogers, 9, in the traditional category and Jeanette Taws in the most unusual gingerbread cookie category.

MIKE DIRKS/TIMES-NEWS

By John HarbinTimes-News Staff Writer

Published: Monday, November 16, 2009 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, November 15, 2009 at 8:52 p.m.

Gingerbread is a holiday staple, and one local business has turned it into a fun contest to showcase residents' baking talents.

"In my mind, this contest is paying homage to the Grove Park Gingerbread House contest in Asheville," Hughes said. "I appreciate the work that is put into those gingerbread houses and this is a contest on a smaller scale."

Hughes' contest has three categories: traditional, unusual and a special category for bakers ages 13 and younger. This year she has created a new category focusing on team entries.

The rules are simple -- the cookies must be 100 percent edible and have to be entered by Dec. 1.

"We will announce the winners during the first night of our Christmas Open House on Dec. 4 and Dec. 5, and have all the cookies on display throughout that weekend," she said. "The top winner in each category will be awarded a $50 floral gift certificate from Narnia Studios."

She said she gets local bakers from Cakes Du Jour and McFarland's Bakery to judge entries.

"It is a great way to get kids involved in something like that," she said. "I was stunned by last year's turnout and hope that 10 years from now it will still be going on."

For more information on the gingerbread cookie contest or where to bring your entry, contact Hughes at 697-6393.

<p>Gingerbread is a holiday staple, and one local business has turned it into a fun contest to showcase residents' baking talents.</p><p>Barbara Hughes, owner of Narnia Studios in downtown Hendersonville, is hosting her third annual gingerbread cookie contest.</p><p>"In my mind, this contest is paying homage to the Grove Park Gingerbread House contest in Asheville," Hughes said. "I appreciate the work that is put into those gingerbread houses and this is a contest on a smaller scale."</p><p>Hughes' contest has three categories: traditional, unusual and a special category for bakers ages 13 and younger. This year she has created a new category focusing on team entries.</p><p>The rules are simple -- the cookies must be 100 percent edible and have to be entered by Dec. 1.</p><p>"We will announce the winners during the first night of our Christmas Open House on Dec. 4 and Dec. 5, and have all the cookies on display throughout that weekend," she said. "The top winner in each category will be awarded a $50 floral gift certificate from Narnia Studios."</p><p>She said she gets local bakers from Cakes Du Jour and McFarland's Bakery to judge entries.</p><p>"It is a great way to get kids involved in something like that," she said. "I was stunned by last year's turnout and hope that 10 years from now it will still be going on."</p><p>For more information on the gingerbread cookie contest or where to bring your entry, contact Hughes at 697-6393.</p>